An excellent introduction to the masterful work of MacLean who writes with unmatched authority and detail. Typical of British mystery/adventure writers, this book entwines high adventure, human frailities, emotions and an underlying menace that grips the reader early in the narrative that does not let go until almost the end.

As a reader you feel the cold of the arctic weather in Greenland, the misery suffered by the book's subjects, the anger at the pepetrators of the misery suffered by those involved in this adventure. You are torn between putting down the book due to the fatigue and eaxhaustion that you feel as each horror unfolds and yet not wanting to leave the next chapter unread!

This book is an excellent introduction to the genre of great writing- Maclean's double might very well be another writer, Desmond Bagley. It is a shame that we shall not see more material from these two...............